Gratitude... goes beyond the "mine" and "thine" and claims the truth that all of life is a pure gift. In the past I always thought of gratitude as a spontaneous response to the awareness of gifts received, but now I realize that gratitude can also be lived as a discipline. The discipline of gratitude is the explicit effort to acknowledge that all I am and have is given to me as a gift of love, a gift to be celebrated with joy.
-Henri J. M. Nouwen

Sunday, May 11, 2008

"Her children arise up, and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praiseth her." Prov 31:28

Technically this is my 6th Mother's Day being a mom, but I know for sure I never really understood my calling as a mother until this past year. Although there were certainly times of sacrifice and service in Delaney's young life, it was my pregnancy with Danica that tested everything I could have ever believed about how much I would endure for my children. Until then I think fundamentally I was still a very selfish wife and mother. I have learned recently the pure joy that comes from service to my husband and daughters. Amazingly, the peace and happiness that has flowed in our home as a result of the change in my heart is immeasurable. (I will talk a lot about how changing your mind and heart really does change EVERYTHING! This truth is at the core of the simple abundance journey.)

The most beautiful example of this kind of love has been demonstrated to me my entire life by my own mother. I have been reading Elisabeth George's book, Discovering the Treasures of a Godly Woman. The book is a study on the Proverbs 31 woman. Her lessons on each verse are amazing, but it is my mother's notes in the margins that have spoken the most to me. I have always known my mother's love in a profound way, but it was the trials of this past year and my own mother's sacrifice lighting my way that kept me on the difficult path.

Today, I am full of thanksgiving for my two beautiful daughters. What a blessing and privilege to hold these children of God for awhile as my own. I am thankful for my husband. This man who has loved me through so many good and bad times. He has stood firm through times when I was giving my all and times when I had nothing to give. He has born the burdens of sickness and poverty and reveled in the joys of health and riches.

I am thankful for the gift of carrot cake from the Mustard Seed market, a surprise for Mother's Day from a husband who remembered it was the best cake I have ever had (three and a half years ago) and went to find it for me. I am thankful for azaleas picked by my sweet Delaney during a day spent outdoors at my parent's house with my mom and her cousins. I am thankful for Danica, sitting up by herself for the first time unassisted today, growing so strong and sweet, a daily reminder of God's goodness and faithfulness to me. I am thankful for the honor and praise from my husband and girls.

"Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all." Proverbs 31:29

2 comments:

My Dear Monica, I am honored and blessed by your comments. I have always prayed that my girls would grow to become PROVERBS 31 women. I remember the day that I begin a new prayer journey for each of you as I read the Elizabeth George book. God moves in mysterious ways. I love you dearly. Thank-you for the daily hugs!

I too feel overwhelmed today by the privilege God has granted me to be a mother! I pray that I will never take it for granted and will find it as precious and sweet as did the first time I laid eyes on Avery after so many years of longing for that moment! God bless you! Your sister, Rochelle

My girls

Books I'm reading or reading again and again

Quotes that inspire me

“God is not a belief to which you give your assent. God becomes a reality whom you know intimately, meet everyday, one whose strength becomes your strength, whose love, your love. Live this life of the presence of God long enough and when someone asks you, “Do you believe there is a God?” you may find yourself answering, “No, I do not believe there is a God. I know there is a God.” ~Ernest Boyer, Jr.

"there is no use trying," said alice... ..."one can't believe impossible things." "i dare say you haven't had much practice," said the queen. "when I was your age, i always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes i've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."

"To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not, rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common--this is my symphony." William Henry Channing

"PEACE. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart." Unknown

Lines from Jack Kerouac’s On the Road: “The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved. The ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars.”